Cheap Wetsuits, avoid???

Hi, I'm a newbie to triathlon, have been a runner for many years and now progressing on to multi discipline.

The running and bike will take care of themselves as I have no problem with them, however, I am looking at open water swimming and as I am only new into this is it worth buying one of the cheaper models of wet suit from Ebay (£25-£50) or will I regret it and wish I had spent more???

Minimum needs to be a decent make (Speedo, Huub, Orca, Blue Seventy etc). Cost unimportant if a decent brand. My first open water tri was in a £15 TWF wetsuit (Cornish company) from Tesco. Ended up being baggy and rubbing. Given that I run a 1:18 half marathon I finished last in the swim!!! Last!!! 28 year old male getting out the water behind overweight 40 plus women! I am also a rubbish swimmer. I now have a £70 Triathelite Speedo which I got in sale from Chain Reaction Cycles.

You can buy wetsuits from ebay. But you have to know what you are looking for. A baggy fit is a total no-no. Unfortunately you are exactly 6 months out from the end of season, which is the best time to buy.

Personally I think you'd be better off with a half decent second hand triathlon wetsuit than a new, cheap, surfing style wetsuit. I'm sure you'd find something on ebay. Flexible shoulders is probably the most important thing for swimming and you won't get that in most cheap wetsuits. Also triathlon wetsuits are generally designed to be easier to get off if you want a quick transition.

I did swim the first few of my triathlons in a ripcurl surfing wetsuit and it wasn't a problem. I was faster once I switched to speedos entry level suit though and much les tiring on the arms. I've just gotten an Orca Alpha and tried it out yesterday. Baltic cold but the wetsuit was great!

you can get a made to measure suit for the same price as a mid range off the peg i had 2 mail order sale suits which i thought were Ok until i bit the bullet and got a made to measure much faster comfortable swim now and quicker T1 times as it just peels off. Got mine at Snugg well recommended

£50 is too pricey in my opinion.. If you have plans to swim OW a few times a year then I would just buy one. If its a one-off swim then maybe it makes more sense to rent. The rental suits are probably perfectly fine. You could ask them if they'd sell one for a good price?

I am looking at a cheap tri wetsuit for future races and I have a lack of funds. Was wondering if anyone knows anything about the brand FOOR? They have some pricey wetsuits but they have a 'classic' tri wetsuit for £100 sold by tri uk and this is also thesame wetsuit which they rent out for 50. I cant find any reviews. Anyone know Iif its decent and whether it woulf hold up for up to 70.3?

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